A former Bradwell chef has swapped mixing bowls for mixing music as he pursues his dream career of hip hop producer.

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Gordon Osben, 23, immersed himself in rap music while studying for GCSEs at Cliff Park High School.

The father-of-two – known to his friends as Gordo – developed his style as Gordo Templi, playing gigs both in Norfolk and in London and releasing an album.

As he honed his vocals and lyrics, he also learnt to make beats and mix and master tracks so his songs could sound as he wanted.

And it is his studio skills he hopes to turn into a career, using his portable recording studio set-up to help aspiring artists.

“I wasn’t making enough money before so I had to bring in money other ways to pay the bills, but now I think it’s time,” said Gordo, of Clover Way. “We want to give people a stepping stone to produce their first album and help promote it.

“It’s not just hip hop – we can do everything – but the hip hop would be most encouraging as that’s what we do ourselves.”

His business is called Portline Studios, and he believes there is a market for it in Norfolk.

“There are a lot of people in Yarmouth and Norwich interested in making music, but around here there’s nothing to record with,” he explained. “People are more comfortable recording in their own home.

“I’ve seen people charge stupid prices like £100 for a beat, but I would rather sell them 10 beats for £10 a time to make that money.”

He first learnt about recording at East Norfolk Sixth Form College, but has also learnt as an artist himself.

As a 15-year-old he listened to American rap artists such as the Wu-Tang Clan, before getting into underground British hip hop.

“It inspired me to do it more myself as at the time it was more garage music like Blazin’ Squad,” he said. “The sort of stuff I do isn’t your stereotypical guns and bling – I don’t really endorse that sort of thing.